Separator for bottle carrier



Jan. 19, 1965 A. J. WEISS SEPARATOR FOR BOTTLE CARRIER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Jan. 13, 1960 INVENTOR.

AETHUR J. Wass AT'302HEY5 Jan. 19, 1965 A. J. WEISS SEPARATOR FOR BOTTLECARRIER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 15, 1960 ai II INVENTOR.

ARTHUR J. Warss OENEYS Jan. 19, 1965 A. J. WEISS 3,166,228

SEPARATOR FOR BOTTLE CARRIER Filed Jan. 13, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 3INVENTOR. ARTHUR J. Wass A TozuEYs Jan. 19, 1965 A. J. WEISS 3,166,228

SEPARATOR FOR BOTTLE CARRIER Filed Jan. 13, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 4Ins--15 52 8 INVENTOR.

Aia'ruulz J. Wanss BY W, MEL 1 27 'A'TTO ZNEYS A. J. WEISS SEPARATOR FORBOTTLE CARRIER Jan. 19, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 13, 1960 INV ENTOR.

United States Patent M areazzs snrnna'ron non no'rrrn CARRIER Arthur J.Weiss, Eergentield, M5,, assignor to Continental Can Company, Inc, NewYork, N.Y., a corporation oi New York Filed Jan. 13, 196i Ser. No. 2,22514 Claims. (Ql. 229-15) This invention relates in general to new anduseful improvements in the container art, and more particularly relatesto new and useful separators for use in conjunction with bottlecarriers.

The essential requirements of a carrier for bottles, such as soft drinkbottles, include a jacket which may be passed around a plurality ofbottles and engaged beneath the bottoms thereof, the bottles passingthrough suitable openings in the top portion of the jacket. The jacketmust be provided with a suitable handle to facilitate the carrying ofthe bottles, and a separator intermediate the bottles to prevent thebottles from striking each other and the resultant chipping or breakingof the bottles. The present invention relates to a jacket of the typewhich is passed around a series of bottles, for example, six bottles,and secures together the bottles as a unit. In the simplest form, thisjacket is merely an elongated blank which is passed down over the necksof the bottles and then is folded beneath the bottoms of the bottles andis connected together. In order to maintain the simplicity of thejacket, it is desirable that the separator for the bottles be separateand independent from the jacket in its initial state. It is to this typeof separator that the present invention relates.

It is an object of the invention to provide a separator for use in abottle carrier, which separator is in the form of a blank having aplurality of partition members cut therefrom, the partition membersbeing swingable with respect to the blank to positions normal to theplane of the blank, and the partition members being so arranged andconnected to the blank whereby they may be mechanically pushed from theplane of the blank to their bottle separating positions so that theseparator may be mechanically formed and positioned automatically withrespect to a group of bottles which are to be packaged within a jacket.

Another object of the invention is to provide a very simple separatorfor use in conjunction with bottle carriers of the jacket type, theseparator being in the form of a blank having a cut-out extending amajor portion of the length thereof, the cut-out defining two partitionswhich are hingedly connected to the body or" the blank and which may beswung from the plane of the blank to positions normal to the plane ofthe blank, the partition members having generally zig-zag ends which arecomplemental so that the combined lengths of the partition members maybe greater than the length of the cut-out, thus permitting widerpartition members than are normally available.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel separator for usein a bottle carrier for separating the individual bottles within thecarrier to prevent the engagement of the bottles with each other, theseparator being formed from a folded blank which is divided into twohalves, and each of the halves is provided with an elongated c'ut-outdefining a pair of partition members swingable from the plane of theblank half to a position normal to the plane of the blank half, thepartition members of thetwo halves of the blank being generally alignedwith each other and being secured together in the formation or" theseparator from the blank, and there being a projecting finger on one ofthe blank halves for each of the partition members whereby when thepartition members are swung from the plane of'the folded blank, theywill 3,liiii,228 Fatented Jan. 19, 1965 be locked in their bottleseparating positions by the projecting fingers.

A further object of the invention is to provide a separator for use inseparating the bottles disposed within a bottle carrier, the separatorbeing formed from a folded blank which has a pair of similar halves,each of the halves having an elongated cut-out defining two partitionmembers which are hingedly connected to the blank for swinging out ofthe plane of the blank to planes normal to the plane of the blank, thepartition members of the two blank halves being generally aligned andbeing secured together to form two ply partition members, one of theplies of each of the partition members being of a larger outline thanthe other ply, whereby swinging of the partition members from the planeof the folded blank is limited to one direction only.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel separatorfor use within a carrier for bottles for separating the individualbottles from each other, the separator being formed from a folded blankand including a pair of centrally located partition members which arecut from the blank and are hingedly connected to the blank for swingingfrom the plane of the blank to positions generally normal to the planeof the blank, the ends of the blank halves being spread apart to formstop portions at the ends of the separator to prevent the outwardmovement of endmost bottles within the bottle carrier.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a novel separator foruse in bottle carriers of the jacket type for separating the individualbottles within the jacket from each other, the separator being in theform of an elongated blank having a plurality of partition membersstruck therefrom and hingedly connected thereto for swinging movementfrom the plane of the blank to positions normal to the plane of theblank, each of the partition'members having serrated ends, the adjacentends of the partition members being complemental and interlocking whenin the plane of the blank, the partition members being disposed atspaced points along the length of the separator body and at the endsthereof, whereby the separator serves not only to separate theindividual bottles disposed within the bottle carrier, but also toprevent the movement of the bottles out of the ends of the bottlecarrier.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel separatorfor use in a bottle carrier for separating the individual bottlestherein to prevent damage to the bottles, the separator being formedfrom an elongated blank which has the central portion thereof cut out todefine a pair of partition members hingedly connected to the blank andswingable from the plane of the blank to positions normal to the planeof the blank, the partition members being adapted to be disposed betweenadjacent bottles disposed in rows, and the blank having the ends thereoffolded to provide stop portions for engaging endmost bottles and thusprevent the movement of bottles from within the confmes of the bottlecarrier.

With above, and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, thenature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference tothe following detailed description, the appended claims, and the severalviews one of the partition members of the separator in a position swungfrom the plane of the body of the separator. FIGURE 8 is a horizontalsectional view taken along the section line 8-8 of FIGURE 5, and showsthe specific relationship between the separator and bottles carried bythe bottle carrier.

FIGURE 9 is a plan view of the blank from which the separator of FIGURE6 is formed.

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view similar to FIGURE 1 of a bottle carrieremploying another form of separator.

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of the separator removed from theremainder of the bottle carrier, and shows the specific details thereof.

FIGURE 12 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the section line12-12 of FIGURE 10, and shows the specific relationship of the separatorwith respect to bottles disposed within the bottle carrier.

FIGURE 13 is a plan view of the blank from which the separator of FIGURE11 is formed.

FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of a bottle carrier similar to thatillustrated in FIGURE 1, and shows still another form of separator.

FIGURE 15 is a perspecitve view of the separator utilized in the bottlecarrier of FIGURE 14, and shows the separator removed from the ring ofthe bottle carrier.

FIGURE 16 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the section line16--16 of FIGURE 14, and shows the specific relationship between theseparator and bottles carried by the bottle carrier.

FIGURE 17 is a plan view of the blank from which j the separator ofFIGURE 15 is formed.

FIGURE 18 is another perspective view similar to FIGURE 1, and shows thebottle carrier utilizing still another form of separator.

FIGURE 19 is a perspective view of the separator utilized in the bottlecarrier of FIGURE 18 and removed from the remainder of the bottlecarrier.

FIGURE 20 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the section line21-2 of FIGURE 18, and shows the relationship of the separator withrespect to bottles disposed within the bottle carrier.

FIGURE 21 is a plan view of the blank fromwhich the separator of FIGURE19 is formed.

FIGURE 22 is a perspective view on a reduced scale shown an end portionof a modified form of separator corresponding to the separator of FIGURE19.

Reference is first made to the embodiment of the invention illustratedin FIGURES 1 through 4, inclusive, of the drawing. The bottle carrierillustrated in FIGURE 1 is generally referred to by the numeral 25, andis designed for carrying six bottles B. The bottles have been omittedfrom FIGURE 1 for purposes of clarity, although they are illustrated inFIGURE 3. The bottle carrier 25 is formed of three basic components.These include a jacket 26 which extends about the lower portions of thebottles B. The jacket 26 is not a part of this invention as such, andtherefore will not be fully described. The jacket 26 is formed from asingle elongated blank which is folded to define an upper portion 27having two rows openings 28 formed therein for the reception of necks ofbottles B. The upper portion 27 is also provided with an elongated slot29 through which a handle portion 31) passes.

The jacket 26 also includes a bottom portion 31 which is formed byoverlapping flaps 32 and 33, the flaps 32 and 33 being secured togetherby means of .a plurality of tabs 34, each of the tabs 34 underlying andbeing in alignment with a pair of the bottles B. Thus, the bottles Bserve to hold the tabs 34 in place.

The bottle carrier 25 also includes a bottle separator, which isgenerally referred to by the numeral 35. The bottle separator 35 isverticallydisposed within the confines of the jacket 26 and serves toprevent contact of the bottles B with each other, thus preventing damageto the individual bottles.

At this time, it is pointed out that the handle 39 may be a separatecomponent, or may be integrally formed with the separator 35. In theform of separator illustrated in FIGURE 2, the separator does not haveconnected thereto the handle 39. However, the handle 3% could be formedas an upward continuation of the separator 35, if so desired. This isillustrated with respect to other forms or separators to be describedhereinafter.

As is best illustrated in FIGURE 4, the separator 35 is formed from ablank 36 which is generally rectangular in outline and which is formedof a suitable economical material, such as paperboard and the like. Theseparator 35 not having the handle 3% formed as an integral partthereof, the upper edge of the blank 36 is recessed, as at 37, toprovide clearance for the handle 30. Also, the lower edge of the blank36 is provided with a plurality of recesses 38 which are aligned withand provide clearance for the tabs 34.

The blank 36 is provided with a centrally located cutout 39 which isgenerally rectangular in outline and which terminates adjacent the sideedges of the blank 36. The cut-out 39 defines a pair of partitionmembers 40, 41 which are separated by a zig-zag line 42 to define complemental fingers 43 on ends of the partition members 40, 41.

The cut-out 39 also defines a pair of projecting portions 44 extendingin opposed relation from the main portion of the blank 36 into each ofthe partition members 40, 41. The projecting portions 44 are generallytriangular in outline, and are integrally connected to their respectivepartition members by fold lines 45 which are in alignment.

The separator 35 is shipped and stored in the blank state of FIGURE 4.When it is desired to utilize the separator 35, the partition members40, 41 are swung I out of the plane of the blank 36, preferably by adouble prong member, to positions disposed generally normal to the planeof the blank 36, as is best illustrated in FIG- URE 2. After this hasbeen accomplished, the separator 35 is dropped into position between agroup of six bottles B as the bottles B pass along the packaging line inthe plant. The jacket 26 is then positioned over the tops of thebottles, with the neck portions of the bottles B passing through theopenings 28. The flaps 31 and 32 are then .folded beneath the bottoms ofthe bottles, and the'tabs 34 interlocked to form the complete package.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 3 in particular, wherein therelationship of the separator 35 with respect to the bottles B isillustrated. It is to be noted that the main body of the separator 35,which may be referred to by the numeral 46, extends longitudinallybetween the two rows of bottles B. The partition members 40, 41 aredisposed between adjacent bottles of each of the rows of bottles. Thus,each of the six bottles B disposed within the bottle carrier 25 isseparated from each other by the separator 35. In this manner, breakageof the bottles B is greatly reduced.

At this time, it is pointed out that due to the separation of thepartition members 40, 41 by the zig-zag line 42, the combined lengths ofthe partition members 41 41 are greater than the length of the cut-out39. Thus, without unduly weakening the body 46 of the separator 35 byextending the cut-out 39 too close to the side edges of the blank 36,partition members of the necessary dimensions have been provided.Although oneedge of each of the partition members 49, 41 is in the formof a plurality of spaced fingers 43, the fingers 43 are disposed betweenthe adjacent bottles Band prevent the direct contact of the bottles witheach other. Therefore, the omission of the material intermediate thefingers 43 in no way affects the function of the partition members 40,41.

Reference is noW made to the form of the invention illustrated inFIGURES 5 through 9, inclusive, wherein the bottle carrier illustratedtherein is generally referred to by the numeral 59. The bottle carrier 5includes the jacket 26 and a separator 51. As is best illustrated inFIGURE 9, the separator 51 is formed from an elongated, generallyrectangular blank 52. The blank 52 is divided into halves 53, 54 by acentral transverse fold line 55. The half 53 has a reduced widthhandle-forming extension 56 projecting therefrom remote'from the foldline 55. The half 54 has a similar handle-forming portion 57 projectingtherefrom remote from the fold line 55.

The handle-forming portion 56 is provided with a cut out 58 whichdefines a finger-receiving opening. A portion of the material within thecut-out 53 is removed, as at 59, and the cut-out 58 defines a flap sowhich is hingedly connected to the remainder of the handle-formingportion 56 by a hinge line 61. It is to be noted that the flap 6b isgenerally rectangular in outline.

A cut-out 62 is formed in the handle-forming portion 57 generally inalignment with the cut-out 58. A portion of the material of thehandle-forming portion 57 defined by the cut-out 62 is removed, as at63. The cut-out 62 also defines a flap 64 which is connected to theremainder of the handle-forming port-ion 57 by a fold line 65. It is tobe noted that the side edges of the cut out 62 are sinusoidal and thatthe flap 64- also has sinusoidal edges. The maximum width of the flap 64corresponds generally to the width of-the flap oil, with parts of thehandle-forming portion 57 projecting into the opening defined by thecut-out 62 functioning as stop members 66. The purpose of these stopmembers 66 will be described in detail hereinafter.

The blank half 53 is provided with an elongated, generally rectangularcut-out 67 which terminates adjacent the side edges of the half 53. Thecut-out 67 defines a pair of partition member plies 68, 69 which areseparated by a zig-zag line 70, the zig-zag line 70 definingcomplemental fingers 71 on the opposed ends of the plies 68 and 69.

The shape of the cut-out 67 is such as to define a pair of projectingportions 72 which project into the central part of each of the plies 68,69 The projecting portions 72 of each of the plies are disposedinopposed relation and are generally triangular in outline. Each of theprojecting portions 72 terminates in an inwardly projecting finger ortab 73. Each pair of the projecting portions 72 are connected to theirrespective one of the plies 68, 69 by a pair of aligned fold lines 74.The connection between the plies 68, 69 and the remainder of the blankhalf 53 is such as to permit swinging of the plies 68, 69 out of theplane of the blank half 53.

The blank half 54 is provided with a cut-out 75 which is similar inoutline to the cut-out 67, but differs therefrom in that it is slightlysmaller than the cut-out 67. The cut-out 75 defines a pair of partitionmember plies 76, 77 which are separated by a zig-zag line 78, the zigzagline 73 defining a plurality of fingers 79 on the opposed ends of theplies 76, 77, the fingers 79 being complementary to each other.

The shape of the cut-out 75 is such as to provide a pair of inwardlyprojecting portions 80 projecting inwardly into each of the plies re,77. The projecting portions 80 are disposed in opposed relation and aregenerally triangular in outline. It is to be noted that the projectingportions 8% are slightly wider than the projecting portions 72. Theprojecting portions 80 are integrally connected to their respectiveplies 76 and 77 along 6 aligned fold lines 81 so that the plies 76 and77 may swing out of the plane of the blank 52.

The blank 52 is folded along the central fold line 55 and the opposedportions thereof are adhered together. The flaps 60 and 64 are securedtogether to form a single flap, and the plies 68 and 76 are securedtogether to form a partition member 32, whereas the plies 69 and 77 aresecured together to form a partition member 3-3.

As is best illustrated in FIGURE 6, the partition members 82 and 83 canbe swung from the plane of the separator 51 in one direction only. Thisis due to the fact that the plies 6S and 69 are larger than the plies 76and 77, respectively. As before, the partition members 82 and 33 will bemoved out of the plane of the separator 51 by mechanical fingers whichwill push on them. Once the partition members 32 and 33 have been swungto positions approximately at right angles to the plane of the separator51, they will be locked against return by the fingers 73, as is bestshown in FIGURE 7. For example, with respect to the partition member 83,it will be seen that as the partition member 83 is swung at right anglesto the plane of the separator 51, the ply 77 will pass over the finger73 and down behind the finger 73, thus precluding the return of thepartition member 83 t0 the plane of the separator 51.

As is best illustrated in FIGURE 8, the separator 51 is intended toseparate six bottles B disposed within the jacket 26. The main portionof the separator 51 is disposed between two rows of three bottles eachand the partition members 82 and 83 are disposed between adjacentbottles of the individual rows. During the packaging operation, thepartition member 51 is first positioned between the six bottles B asthey pass along a conveyor. The jacket 26 is then placed down over thebottles and the separator 51 with the handle-forming portions 56 and 57passing upwardly through the slot 29 in the upper portion of the jacket26 and defining a handle referred to by the numeral 84. The jacket 26 isthen wrapped around the bottoms of the bottles B and the bottom portionsthereof secured together to complete the package. The flaps 6i) and 64,which have been secured together, are then swung out of the plane of thehandle 84 with the flap 63 being disposed behind the cars 66 and thusretaining the flaps in a suitable carrying position, as is bestillustrated in FIGURE 6.

Reference is now made to FIGURES 10 through 13, inclusive, whereinanother form of the invention is illustrated. In FIGURE 10 there isillustrated a bottle carrier, generally referred to by the numeral 96.The bottle The blank 92 is provided in the central portion thereof withthree cut-outs 93, 94 and 95. The cut-outs are each of an elongated,rectangular configuration, and the cutouts are in spaced alignmenttransversely of the blank 92 along the center line thereof. The spacingof the cutouts 93, 9d and 95 corresponds generally to the spacing of thetabs 34 which lock together the bottom portions of the jacket 26.

Fold lines 97 and 98 extend between the cutouts )3, 94 and 5 along thecenter line of the blank 92. A pair of outwardly diverging fold lines 99extend outwardly from the outer corner of the cut-out 93 to the outeredge of the blank 92 and define a wedge-shaped spreader member 160.Similar outwardly diverging fold lines 161 extend outwardly from theouter corners of the cut-out 95 to the opposite edge of the blank 92 anddefine a wedge-shaped spreader member 192.. The fold lines 97, 98, 9?,and till, together with the cut-outs 93, 94 and 95 divide the blank 92into halves 163 and 164.

in the blank half 104. separator 91 does not have a handle formedintegral other.

7 The blank half 1113 is provided with a recess 195 in the upper edgethereof. A similar recess 106 is formed It is to be understood that thetherewith, as in the case of the separator 51, and therefore, the upperportion of the separator 91 is recessed to provide clearance for ahandle 107 which is separate and independent from both the jacket 26 andthe separator 91, and which extends upwardly through the upper portionof the jacket 26 through the slot 29 formed therein.

The blank half 103 has a large rectangular cut-out 108 formed therein,the cut-out 108 terminating adjacent the side edges of the blank half103. The cut-out 103 defines a pair of partition member forming plies109 and 110 which are separated by a zig-zag cut line 111 defining aplurality of fingers 112 on opposed edges of the plies 199, 110, thefingers being complemental to each The cut-out 168 also defines a pairof generally triangular projecting portions for each of the plies 109,110, the projecting portions being referred to by the numeral 113 andprojecting inwardly into their respective plies. The projecting portions113 are integrally connected to their respective plies 109, 110 alongaligned fold lines 114, which permits the swinging of the plies 109,110, out of the plane of the blank half 1113. The inner portion of eachof the projecting portions 113 terminates in a finger or tab 115 whichfunctions as a locking device in a manner to be described in detailhereinafter.

The blank half 1114 is also provided with an elongated generallyrectangular cut-out 116. The cut-out 116 defines a pair of partitionmember forming plies 117, 118. The outline of the cut-out 116 isslightly smaller than that of the cut-out 108, with the result that theplies 117 and 118 are slightly smaller than the plies 109, 110. At thistime, it is pointed out that the cut-out 108 is aligned with the cut-out116.

The cut-out 116 defines a pair of inwardly projecting portions 119 foreach of the plies 117, 118. The inwardly projecting portions 119 projectinwardly into their respective one of the plies and are generallytriangular in outline. Each pair of inwardly projecting portions 119 isintegrally connected to its associated ply by aligned fold lines 120which facilitate the swinging of the plies 117, 118 out of the plane ofthe blank half 1114.

It is to be noted that the plies 117, 113 are separated by a zig-zag outline 121 which defines a plurality of complemental fingers on theopposed ends of the plies 117, 118. The fingers defined by the out line121 are referred to by the numeral 122.

When it is desired to form the separator 91, the blank 92 is foldedalong the fold lines 97, 93, 99 and 191. This folding of the blank 92results in the central portion of the separator 91 being in opposedtouching relation whereas the outer portions thereof are spaced apart bythe spreader members 100 and 1132. Thus, the individual blank halves103, 104 retain their identity. The ply 109 is aligned with the ply 117and combines therewith to form a partition member 123. Also, the ply111) is aligned with the ply 118 and combines therewith to define apartition member 124. When the blank 92 is so folded, the partitionmembers 123, 124 are swung out of the general plane of the folded blankto positions substandaily at right angles to the plane of the foldedblank, as is best illustrated in FIGURE 11. This is preferably done bymechanical means in an automatic assembly (not shown). \Vhen thepartition members 123, 124 are swung to the positions illustrated inFIGURE 11, the plies 199, 110 swing past the fingers 115 and the fingers115 function as stop members or latches against the return of thepartition members 123, 124 to the general planes of the blank 92. Thepartition members 123, 124 now serve to hold together the centralportion of the her 141 in opposed relation.

separator 91, as is best illustrated in FIGURE 11. Incidentally, if itis so desired, small quantities of adhesive may be placed generally inalignment'with the projecting portions 113 and 119 to accomplish thedesired securing together of the central portion of the separator 91.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 12 in particular, wherein it is shownthat the separator 91 is to be used in conjunction with six bottles Bdisposed within the jacket 26. The main body of the separator 91 isdisposed between two rows of three bottles each, and the partitionmembers 123, 124 are disposed between adjacent bottles in the individualrows. It is to be noted that the spread ends of the separator 91function as stops to prevent the outward movement of the outermostbottles within the bottle carrier 90.

In assembling a. package utilizing the bottle carrier 99, the separator91 is positioned with respect to the six bottles as they pass along aconveyor to the packaging station. Then, the jacket 26, equipped withthe handle 107, is placed down over the bottles B with the necks of thebottles passing through the openings 28 in the upper portion of thejacket 26. The bottom part of the jacket 26 is then folded inwardly andis locked together by the tabs 34 to complete the package.

Reference is now made to FIGURES 14 through 17, inclusive, wherein thereare illustrated the details of a bottle carrier, generally referred toby the numeral 130. The bottle carrier is formed of a jacket 26 having ahandle, such as the handle 30, projecting upwardly therefrom. The bottlecarrier 130 also includes a separator 131 which is disposed within thejacket 26 and which separates the individual bottles carried by thebottle carrier 130.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 17, wherein there is illustrated ablank, generally referred to by the numeral 132, from which thesepanator 131 is formed. The blank 132 includes a generally rectangularbody portion 133 which is provided at the opposite ends thereof withreduced, generally rectangular extensions 134, 135. The extensions 134,135 terminate remote from themain body 133 of the blank in fingers 136,137, respectively. It is to be noted that the fingers 136, 137 arecomplementary to each other. This formation permits a saving ofmaterials and the simultaneous cutting of the fingers 136, 137 of twoadjacent blanks 132.

A pair of cut lines 138, 139 extend the full width of the blank mainbody 133 and terminate in the extensions 134, 135. It is to be notedthat the cut lines 133, 139 are interrupted at intermediate points in amanner to be described hereinafter.

A plurality of transverse zig-zag cut lines 140 extend between the cutlines 138, 139 and define a pair of end partition members 141, 142 and apair of central partition members 143, 144. Each of the cut lines 140defines a plurality of complemental fingers 145 on the opposed ends ofthe partition members. The formation of complemental fingers on the endsof the partition members permits the partition members to be longer thanotherwise would be possible. This, of course, provides a more desirablepartition member in that it may extend sufficiently between adjacentbottles to prevent contact of the bottles with each other.

The extension 134 forms a part of the partition memher 141 and isconnected to the blank main body 133 by a pair of aligned fold lines146. The fold lines 146 extend inwardly towards each other from theedges of the extension 134 and intersect with the ends of the cut lines138, 139. The cut lines 138, 139 combine with the fold lines 146 todefine generally triangular projecting portions 147 which projectinwardly into the partition mem- The arrangement is such that thepartition member 141 may swing with respect to the blank 132 about thefold lines 146 to a position generally normal to the plane of the blank132.

move along a conveyor.

in outline.

The extension 135 is also connected to'the blank main body 133 by a pairof inwardly projecting aligned fold lines 148, which fold linesterminate at their inner ends in intersections with the cut lines 138,139. The end portions of the cut lines 138, 139, together with the foldlines 148, define inwardly projecting, generally triangular portions 149which are disposed in opposed relation and project into the partitionmember 142 of which the extension 135 forms a part. The partition member142 is, accordingly, swingable about the fold lines 148 to a positionout of the general plane of the blank 132.

The cut lines 138, 139 are interrupted by opposed and aligned fold lines150. The fold lines 150, together with the cut lines 138, 139 definegenerally triangular inwardly projecting portions 151 which project intothe partition member 143 in opposed relation. The partition member 143being cut from the blank 132 with the exception of the fold lines 150,is swingable to a position out of the plane of the blank 132.

Other aligned fold lines 152 extend between the interrupted portions ofthe cut lines 138, 139 in the area of the partition member 144. The foldlines 152, together with the cut lines 133, 139 define generallytriangular inwardly projecting portions 153 which'project inwardly intothe partition 144 in opposed relation. The partition member 144 beingseparated from the blank 132 except for its connection with theprojecting portions 153 along the fold lines 152, is free to swing fromthe plane of the blank 132.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 15 wherein the separator 131 isillustrated. It is to be noted that when it is desired to form theseparator 131, it is merely necessary to take the blank 132 and to swingthe partition members 141, 142, 143 and 144 out of the general plane ofthe blank 132 and to positions normal to the plane thereof. Thepartition members, when so oriented, transform the blank 132 into theseparator 131.

Reference is nowmade to FIGURE 16, wherein bottles B are illustratedwithin the jacket 26. It is to be noted that six bottles B are to bepackaged within the bottle carrier 130, and that the separator 131serves to both separate all of the bottles with respect to each otherand to prevent the endmost ones of the bottles from moving out of theends of the jacket 26. The main body portion of the separator 131, whichis referred to by the numeral 154, is disposed between the two rows ofbottles, and the partition members 143, 144 are disposed intermediatethe bottles of the rows. The partition members 141, 142 are disposed atthe ends of the jacket 26 to prevent the outward movement of theoutermost bottles.

In forming a package utilizing the bottle carrier 136, the blank 132 isfolded to form the separator 131. separator 131 is then positioned withrespect to the six bottles to be placed in the bottle carrier 136 as thebottles Then, the jacket 26, with the handle 30 attached thereto, ispositioned over the tops of the bottles, and is folded beneath thebottoms of the bottles with the bottom portion of the jacket 26 beingcompleted by the locking of the tabs 34.

In FIGURE 18, there is illustrated still another form of bottle carier,generally referred to by the numeral 166. The bottle carrier 160 alsoemploys the jacket 26 having a handle 30. A separator, generallyreferred to by the numeral 161, is disposed within the jacket 26 forseparating individual bottles to be disposed therein. The separator 161is best illustrated in FIGURE 19.

The separator 161 is formed from an elongated, generally rectangularblank, generally referred to by the numeral 162. The blank 162 is bestillustrated in FIG- URE 21. The opposite ends of the blank 162 areprovided with a pair of reduced extensions in the form of flaps163, 164.The blank 162 is otherwise rectangular The blank 162 is divided intothree primary panels 165, 166 and 167 by a pair of vertical fold lines168, 169. It is to be noted that the panels 165, 167 are The.

19 identical and are disposed on opposite sides of the panel 166.

The panel 166 includes a generally rectangular cut-out 170 which extendsbetween the fold lines 168, 163 and terminates thereat, the ends of thecut-out 176 being aligned with the fold lines 168, 163. The cut-out 170defines a pair of partition members 171, 172 which are separated by azig-zag line 173 which defines a plurality of complemental fingers onthe opposed ends of the partition members 171, 172, the fingers beingreferred to by the numeral 174.

The cut-out 170 defines a pair of generally triangular projectingportions 175 which project into each of the partition members 171, 172in opposed relation. Each of the partition members 171, 172 is cut fromthe blank panel 166 with the exception of an integral connection withits respective projecting portions 175 along spaced aligned fold lines176. This arrangementpermits the swinging of the partition members 171,172 out of the plane of the blank 162.

Each of the panels 165, 167 is provided with a pair of oppositelydirected, generally C-shaped cut lines 177 which correspond in size tothe ends of the cutout 1'76. Transverse fold lines 178 extend from theends of the cut lines 177 to the edges of the blank 162. The fold lines178 and the cut lines 177 divide each of the panels 165, 167 into acentral flap 179 and a pair of outer flaps 130 and 181, the flaps 181being integrally connected to the panel 166, and the flaps 189 carryingthe flaps 163 and 164, the flaps 163 and 164 being connected to theflaps 180 along fold lines 152.

In the formation of the separator 161, the blank 162 is folded along thefold lines 163, 169 and 178 to define triangular end portions 183. Thesetriangular end portions are defined by the flaps 179, 186 and 181 andare retained in shape by passing the flaps 163 and 164 through the endsof the cut-out 170, the shape of each of the flaps 163, 164 being suchas to interlock in the ends of the cut-out 170.

As is best illustrated in FIGURE 19, the C-shaped cut lines 177 defineflaps 184 which are of a reduced height as compared to the flaps 179,130, 181, and which fiaps 184 are integrally connected to the fiap 179and remain coplanar therewith, the flaps 179 and 184 being disposednormal to the general plane of the separator 161. The partition members171 and 172 are also swung out of the plane of the separator 161 and aredisposed substantially normal thereto.

Reference is now had to FIGURE 20, wherein the relationship of theseparator 161 with respect to six bottles B carried by the bottlecarrier 166,-is illustrated. It is to be noted that the bottles B arearranged in two rows of three bottles each, and that the main portion ofthe separator 161'extends down between the two rows to separate'thebottles of the two rows from each other. The partition members 171, 172,being at right angles to the main body of the separator 161, aredisposed intermediate the bottles of the rows. The end portions 183 aredisposed outwardly of the endmost ones of the bottles and serve asstops, thus preventing the outward movement of the bottles from the endsof the jacket 26.

In the formation of a package utilizing the bottle carrier 160, theseparator 161 is first formed and then is placed with respect to the sixbottles B as they move along a conveyor to the packaging station. Thejacket 26, with the handle 30 attached thereto, is then placed over thebottles and the separator to form the bottle carrier 160 and thecompleted package.

In FIGURE 22, there is illustrated a modified form of the separator 161,the separator being referred to by the numeral 161'. The separator 161differs from the separator 161 only in the construction of the endportion thereof, the end portion of this separator being referred to bythe numeral 133'. The end portion 183' is formed of three flaps 179,180' and 181'. The flap 179' is connected to the flaps 180' and 181" byfold lines 178'. It is to be noted that the fold lines 178 extend thefull length of the flap 179', whereas the fold lines 178 of theseparator 16]; were separated by the cut-out 177. In other words, theseparator 161' differs from the separator 161 only in that the flaps 184have been omitted. All other parts of the separator 161' correspond tothe separator 161 and are identified by like numerals.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that novel and advantageousprovision has been made for carrying out the desired end. However,attention is directed to the fact that variations may be made in theexample separators disclosed herein without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A cell forming partition structure for a container which has arectangular bottom with side walls extending upwardly from said bottom,said partition structure comprising a panel adapted to provide alongitudinally extending main divider wall substantially parallel to andintermediate between the side walls of said container, at least twosections formed entirely from the material within said panel andhingedly connected thereto to provide other divider walls extendingtransverse to and on either side of said main wall when pivoted out ofthe plane of the panel, each of said divider sections being defined bycuts extending continuously entirely within said panel except along twospaced apart hinge connection lines for each section in said panellocated substantially midway between and extending in the same generaldirection as the ends of such sections to provide pivotal connectionspermitting said sections to be pivoted to a position transverse to saidmain divider wall in said partition structure and thereby form cellssubstantially uniform in size on either side of said main divider wall,said cuts within said panel together with said hinge connection linesdefining an outer unbroken border which forms said main divider wall,the adjacent ends of said sections in the panel being segregated by aout common to both sections, said common cut being of such shape as todefine at least one projecting end tab portion on one section capturedfrom material of the other section thus providing a recess in said othersection, the combined lengths of said sections being greater than thelength of the space from which said sections are cut, and the lengths ofsaid sections between their extremities being substantially the same.

2. A cell forming partition structure comprising a panel adapted toprovide a longitudinally extending main divider wall, at least twosections formed entirely from the material within said panel andhingedly connected thereto to provide other divider Walls extendingtransverse to and on either side of said main wall when pivoted out ofthe plane of the panel, each of said divider sections being defined bycuts extending continuously entirely within said panel except along twospaced apart hinge connection lines for each section in said panellocated substan- -in the panel being segregated by a cut common to bothsections, said common cut being of such shape as to define at least oneprojecting end tab portion on one section captured from material of theother section thus providing a recess in said other section, thecombined lengths of said sections being greater than the length of thespace from which said sections are cut, and the lengths of said sectionsbetween their extremities being substantially the same.

- 3. A cell forming partition structure comprising a panel adapted toprovide a longitudinal extending main divider wall, at least twosections formed entirely from the material within said panel andhingedly connected thereto to provide other divider wall extendingtransverse to and on either side of said main wall when pivoted out ofthe plane of the panel, each of said divider sections being defined bycuts extending continuously entirely within said panel except along twospaced apart hinge connection lines for each section in said panellocated substantially midway between and extending in the same generaldirection as the ends of such section to provide pivotal connectionspermitting said sections to be pivoted to a position transverse to saidmain divider wall in said partition structure and thereby form cellssubstantially uniform in size on either side of said main divider wall,said cuts within said panel together with said hinge connection linesdefining an outer unbroken border which forms said main divider wall,the adjacent ends of said sections in the panel being segregated by acut at least in part common to both sections, said out being of suchshape to define at least one projecting end tab portion on one sectioncaptured from material of the other section thus providing a recess insaid other section, the combined lengths of said sections being greaterthan the length of the space from which said sections are cut, and thelengths of said sections between their extremities being substantiallythe same.

4. The separator of claim 3 together with outer partition membersdisposed at the ends of said panel.

5. The partition of claim 4 wherein said outer partition members aresimilar to the first mentioned partition members and are hingedlyconnected to said panel.

6. The partition of claim 4 wherein said outer partition members aresimilar to the first mentioned partition members and are hingedlyconnected to said panel, said outer partition members being partiallystruck from said panel and partially extending from said panel.

7. The separator of claim 3 wherein said panel has end portionsreversely folded outwardly of the plane of said panel to one side,reversely to the opposite side of said panel, and then inwardly todefine wide end portions on said panel to function as bottle stops.

8. The separator of claim 7 wherein said end portions are tubular.

9. The separator of claim 7 wherein said end portions include outwardlydirected flaps struck from said outwardly directed and inwardly directedfolded portions, said flaps lying generally in the plane of saidreversely folded portion.

10. A blank for a cell forming partition structure which includes alongitudinally extending main divider wall and transversely extendingdivider sections hingedly connected to the main divider wall andprojecting to opposite sides thereof, said blank being of an elongatedgenerally rectangular outline and being provided with cuts definingdivider sections, said cuts extending continuously entirely within saidgenerally rectangular member except along two spaced apart hingedconnection lines for each divider section located substantially midwaybetween and extending in the same general direction as the ends of suchsections to provide pivotal connections between said divider sectionsand the remainder of the generally rectangular member whereby saiddivider sections may be pivoted to a position out of the plane of andtransverse to the generally rectangular member to form from cellssubstantially uniform in size oneither side of the remainder of saidgenerally rectangular member, said cuts with said generally rectangularmember defining an outer unbroken border which forms the main dividerwall of the cell forming partition structure, said generally rectangularmember further having a cut at least in part common to both of saiddivider sections with said last mentioned cut segregating adjacent endsof said divider sections and being of such shape as to define at leastone projecting end tab portion on each divider section captured from thematerial of the outer divider section thus providing a recess in saidother divider section, the combined lengths of said divider sectionsbeing greater than the length of the space from which said dividersections are cut, and the lengths of said divider sections between theirextremities being substantially the same.

11. The blank of claim wherein said blank includes a generallyrectangular main portion and edge extensions, said divider sectionsbeing formed in said main portion, other cuts in said main portiondefining parts of two outer partition members with said edge extensionsdefining the remainders of said outer partition members and said blankhaving a pair of portions projecting into central portions of said outerpartition members in generally opposed relation and being integrallyconnected to a respective one of said outer partition members alongspaced aligned hinge lines.

12. The blank of claim 10 wherein said panel has a pair of opposite edgeportions, and parallel fold lines on said edge portions to facilitatethe folding of said edge portions to define end stop portions projectingon opposite sides of said blank.

13. The blank of claim 12 wherein said fold lines define narrow panels,and certain of said narrow panels have flaps cut therefrom for providingextensions for said end stop portions.

14. A cell forming partition structure comprising a panel adaptedto'provide a longitudinally extending main divider wall, at least twosections formed entirely from thematerial within said panel and hingedlyconnected thereto to provide other divider Wall extending transverse toand on either side of said main wall when pivoted out of the plane ofthe panel, each of said divider sections being defined by cuts extendingcontinuously entirely Within said panel except along at least one hingeconnection line for each section in said panel located substantiallymidway between and extending in the same general direction as the endsof such section to provide pivotal connections permitting said sectionsto be pivoted to a position transverse to said main divider wall in saidpartition structure and thereby form cells substantially uniform in sizeon either side of said main divider wall, said cuts within said paneltogether with said hinge connection lines defining an outer unbrokenborder which forms said main divider wall, the adjacent ends of saidsections in the panel being segregated by a cut at least in part commonto both sections, said out being of such shape to define at least oneprojecting end tab portion on one section captured from material of theother section thus providing a recess in said other section, thecombined lengths of said sections being greater than the length of thespace from which said sections are cut, and the lengths of said sectionsbetween their extremities being substantially the same.

References Cited by the Examiner i UNITED STATES PATENTS THERON E.CONDON, Primary Examiner.

EARLE I. DRUMMOND, GEORGE O. RALSTON,

Examiners.

1. A CELL FORMING PARTITION STRUCTURE FOR A CONTAINER WHICH HAS ARECTANGULAR BOTTOM WITH SIDE WALLS EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID BOTTOM,SAID PARTITION STRUCTURE COMPRISING A PANEL ADAPTED TO PROVIDE ALONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING MAIN DIVIDER WALL SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO ANDINTERMEDIATE BETWEEN THE SIDE WALLS OF SAID CONTAINER, AT LEAST TWOSECTIONS FORMED ENTIRELY FROM THE MATERIAL WITHIN SAID PANEL ANDHINGEDLY CONNECTED THERETO TO PROVIDE OTHER DIVIDER WALLS EXTENDINGTRANSVERSE TO AND ON EITHER SIDE OF SAID MAIN WALL WHEN PIVOTED OUT OFTHE PLANE OF THE PANEL, EACH OF SAID DIVIDER SECTIONS BEING DEFINED BYCUTS EXTENDING CONTINUOUSLY ENTIRELY WITHIN SAID PANEL EXCEPT ALONG TWOSPACED APART HINGE CONNECTION LINES FOR EACH STATION IN SAID PANELLOCATED SUBSTANTIALLY MIDWAY BETWEEN AND EXTENDING IN THE SAME GENERALDIRECTION AS THE ENDS OF SUCH SECTIONS TO PROVIDE PIVOTAL CONNECTIONSPERMITTING SAID SECTIONS TO BE PIVOTAL TO A POSITION TRANSVERSE TO SAIDMAIN DIVIDER WALL IN SAID PARTITION STRUCTURE AND THEREBY FORM CELLSSUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORM IN SIZE ON EITHER SIDE OF SAID MAIN DIVIDER WALL,SAID CUTS WITHIN SAID PANEL TOGETHER WITH SAID HINGE CONNECTION LINESDEFINING AN OUTER UNBROKEN BORDER WHICH FORMS SAID MAIN DIVIDER WALL,THE ADJACENT ENDS OF SAID SECTIONS IN THE PANEL BEING SEGREGATED BY ACUT COMMON TO BOTH SECTIONS, SAID COMMON CUT BEING OF SUCH SHAPE AS TODEFINE AT LEAST ONE PROJECTING END TAB PORTION ON ONE SECTION CAPTUREDFROM MATERIAL OF THE OTHER SECTION THUS PROVIDING A RECESS IN SAID OTHERSECTION, THE COMBINED LENGTHS OF SAID SECTIONS BEING GREATER THAN THELENGTH OF THE SPACE FROM WHICH SAID SECTIONS ARE CUT, AND THE LENGTHS OFSAID SECTIONS BETWEEN THEIR EXTREMITIES BEING SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME.